Support system and flexible display device comprising support system

Abstract

A support system includes: a container that is deformable; an ER fluid sealed in the container; and a plurality of application electrodes each provided in the container, and the support system further includes a plurality of rigid bodies each firmly fixed to the container.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A support system comprising:
 a container that is deformable; 
 an electrorheological fluid sealed in the container; 
 a plurality of application electrodes, each provided in the container; and 
 a plurality of rigid bodies, each firmly fixed to the container, 
 wherein each of the plurality of rigid bodies is firmly fixed to one outer surface of the container. 
 
     
     
       2. The support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rigid bodies is disposed so as not to overlap each other in a plan view. 
     
     
       3. The support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rigid bodies is coupled together via a rotatable coupler. 
     
     
       4. The support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rigid bodies is coupled together via a plastically deformable coupler. 
     
     
       5. The support system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a control circuit configured to soften or harden the electrorheological fluid by controlling a current that is supplied to each of the plurality of application electrodes,
 wherein the electrorheological fluid softened by the control circuit has a viscosity at which the container is deformable, and 
 the electrorheological fluid hardened by the control circuit has a viscosity at which the container is fixable. 
 
     
     
       6. The support system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the container contains a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate facing the first flexible substrate, 
 the electrorheological fluid is sealed between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate, 
 the plurality of application electrodes includes:
 a first electrode provided on the first flexible substrate, and 
 a second electrode provided on the second flexible substrate, facing the first electrode, and having a polarity opposite to a polarity of the first electrode, and 
 
 the second electrode has a flat part and a protrusion part protruding so as to be closer to the first electrode than the flat part is. 
 
     
     
       7. The support system according to  claim 6 , wherein the protrusion part of the second electrode is spaced from the first electrode. 
     
     
       8. The support system according to  claim 6 , wherein the protrusion part of the second electrode is provided so as not to overlap the plurality of rigid bodies in a plan view. 
     
     
       9. The support system according to  claim 6 , further comprising a retention electrode and an insulating layer provided on the first flexible substrate,
 wherein the retention electrode is positioned opposite the second flexible substrate with respect to the first electrode, and 
 the insulating layer is positioned between the first electrode and the retention electrode. 
 
     
     
       10. The support system according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the container contains a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate facing the first flexible substrate, 
 the electrorheological fluid is sealed between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate, and 
 the plurality of application electrodes includes:
 a first electrode provided on the first flexible substrate, and 
 a third electrode provided on the first flexible substrate, being adjacent to the first electrode in a first direction parallel with the first flexible substrate, and having a polarity opposite to a polarity of the first electrode. 
 
 
     
     
       11. The support system according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of application electrodes is provided on only the first flexible substrate. 
     
     
       12. The support system according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of application electrodes further includes:
 a fourth electrode provided on the second flexible substrate, facing the first electrode, and having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first electrode, and 
 a fifth electrode provided on the second flexible substrate, facing the third electrode, and having a polarity identical to the polarity of the first electrode. 
 
     
     
       13. The support system according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of application electrodes further includes:
 a sixth electrode provided on the second flexible substrate, facing the first electrode, and having a polarity identical to the polarity of the first electrode, and 
 a seventh electrode provided on the second flexible substrate, facing the third electrode, and having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first electrode. 
 
     
     
       14. The support system according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of application electrodes further includes:
 an eighth electrode provided on the second flexible substrate, facing a middle of the first electrode in the first direction, and having a polarity identical to the polarity of the first electrode, 
 a ninth electrode provided on the second flexible substrate, facing one end of the first electrode in the first direction, and having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first electrode, and 
 a tenth electrode provided on the second flexible substrate, facing another end of the first electrode in the first direction, and having a polarity opposite to the polarity of the first electrode. 
 
     
     
       15. The support system according to  claim 10 , wherein the plurality of rigid bodies is disposed so as to be adjacent to each other in the first direction. 
     
     
       16. The support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrorheological fluid has a viscosity that increases along with an increase in an applied voltage. 
     
     
       17. The support system according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrorheological fluid comprises an electrical insulating fluid, and fine particles exhibiting a polarization characteristic. 
     
     
       18. A support system comprising:
 a container that is deformable; 
 an electrorheological fluid sealed in the container; 
 a plurality of application electrodes each provided in the container; and 
 a plurality of rigid bodies, each firmly fixed to the container, wherein 
 the container contains a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate facing the first flexible substrate, 
 the electrorheological fluid is sealed between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate, 
 the plurality of application electrodes includes:
 a first electrode provided on the first flexible substrate, and 
 a second electrode provided on the second flexible substrate, facing the first electrode, and having a polarity opposite to a polarity of the first electrode, and 
 
 the second electrode has a flat part and a protrusion part protruding so as to be closer to the first electrode than the flat part is. 
 
     
     
       19. A support system comprising:
 a container that is deformable; 
 an electrorheological fluid sealed in the container; 
 a plurality of application electrodes each provided in the container; and 
 a plurality of rigid bodies, each firmly fixed to the container, wherein 
 the container contains a first flexible substrate and a second flexible substrate facing the first flexible substrate, 
 the electrorheological fluid is sealed between the first flexible substrate and the second flexible substrate, and 
 the plurality of application electrodes includes:
 a first electrode provided on the first flexible substrate, and 
 a third electrode provided on the first flexible substrate, being adjacent to the first electrode in a first direction parallel with the first flexible substrate, and having a polarity opposite to a polarity of the first electrode. 
 
 
     
     
       20. The support system according to  claim 19 , wherein the plurality of rigid bodies is disposed so as not to overlap each other in a plan view.